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No BMWs listed in the top cars that the auto writers would buy for under $100,000.

"As automotive writers, we're always asked what our favorite cars are or which cars we would buy if we had the money. To answer the latter query, Vanity Fair writer Brett Berk polled 13 scribes to see what they'd pick for under $100,000. An interesting mix of vehicles ensues. Some of the choices stretched the imaginary budget to its max while others went all bang-for-the-buck on us, but what's most surprising about the list is that more than half the cars on it are available with a manual transmission.

Of course cars like the Porsche 911, Ford Mustang and a couple of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars make the cut, but there were also a handful of choices that caught us off guard. Jonny Lieberman of Motor Trend chose the Subaru BRZ, Autoblog weekend editor Alex Nunez would love commuting in a brown Tesla Model S Performance, and Jake Fisher of Consumer Reports picked the Hyundai Veloster... non-turbo!"

Oh that list of cars the journalists picked. Here is an example why they cannot be trusted when it comes to picking a winner in this segment. The entry level luxury sedan segment is supposedly the most demanding of all, has so many entries, must meet so many demands of the drivers and their families all at the same time.

Logic says the winner(s) of this segment should be on that list. I guess we are not as important a demographic as we thought.

Oh that list of cars the journalists picked. Here is an example why they cannot be trusted when it comes to picking a winner in this segment. The entry level luxury sedan segment is supposedly the most demanding of all, has so many entries, must meet so many demands of the drivers and their families all at the same time.

Logic says the winner(s) of this segment should be on that list. I guess we are not as important a demographic as we thought.

That' why we need to know all of the voters. No one I know considers CR an enthusiast oriented review magazine, the one magazine I'd even slightly see as enthusiast oriented listed so far is MT and they picked a damn fine car. I've read that some C and D editors own 3 series BMW's. I f these guys were real enthusiasts and could choose a car for $100K, I'd think the Porsche 911 would be the choice of many.

Logic says the winner(s) of this segment should be on that list. I guess we are not as important a demographic as we thought.

All the writers polled already own BMW 3 Series.

If the money fairy came down and dropped $100 grand under your pillow, why go buy something you already have? Live the fantasy, get something different. There's a Ford and a Hyundai on the list, not really sure if the hillbilly vote counts here.

The fact those reviewers own 3 series, would that not disqualify them from reviewing other cars against the 3? Any judge faced with similar situation will long have excused him or herself from making the judgment.

The fact those reviewers own 3 series, would that not disqualify them from reviewing other cars against the 3? Any judge faced with similar situation will long have excused him or herself from making the judgment.

Let me make sure I get this straight:

For months you tell us how the ATS is coming to kick some BMW ass.

For months we tell you that no one is interested in dumping their BMW for a crappy GM with a brand-image problem.

The ATS finally arrives, a big oh-fer in two significant publications head-to-head reviews.

Someone digs up an obscure article about a dozen writers and their personal choices in cars around $100,000.

Now that the Cadillac has failed to crush the BMW 3, it's time for you to support the Ford Mustang Boss 302 and the Hyundai Veloster in your quest to tell F30 drivers that they're stupid.

The fact those reviewers own 3 series, would that not disqualify them from reviewing other cars against the 3? Any judge faced with similar situation will long have excused him or herself from making the judgment.

What would you have them drive? They have to drive something and they review cars across the board. It has long been known the car of personal choice for the majority of writers at C&D is the 3er.......you know, non-enthusiast, preppy, yuppies that they are looking for maximum cred with the Camry crowd at Wal*Mart.

What would you have them drive? They have to drive something and they review cars across the board. It has long been known the car of personal choice for the majority of writers at C&D is the 3er.......you know, non-enthusiast, preppy, yuppies that they are looking for maximum cred with the Camry crowd at Wal*Mart.

Ok maybe there is no choice but let them do the reviews, but should there not be a disclaimer, like any stock analyst will know to list his or her holdings at the end of the analysis, if such holdings are relevant.

I know you were being sarcastic, but the issue is real. Just look at how the current F30 owners defend their turf.

That reminds me how the C&D reviewer conducted his test. I don't know if he drives a 3 as his daily driver or not, but he clearly did not like the ATS, he appeared not wanting to be bothered by it. He even complained about the CUE because his large radar detector cord touched the screen and changed the speaker volume. Really? Who dangles a three feet cord down from the rear view mirror?

Of course in the end, he characterized the ATS as another fly swipped away by the new 3 series. Was that necessary? Was he trying to be funny or to make sure we know he could not wait for that video to be over? He sure sounded solemnly when he said it. He did not even try to hide his bias.

"Side-mounted exhaust pipes loud enough to rattle dishes in the next county. A stick for a rear axle-solid, like a pickup truck's, and thus gloriously feisty. A 5.0-liter, 444-hp V8 that spins to a vibrasonic 7,500 rpm. Suspension that works a veritable miracle, performing well on both track and street. Drive one of these things, and you feel like the world's most sophisticated goon. Scratch that: you are the world's most sophisticated goon. I have stripes. Do you have stripes? No? Then get the hell out of the way."

"Side-mounted exhaust pipes loud enough to rattle dishes in the next county. A stick for a rear axle-solid, like a pickup truck's, and thus gloriously feisty. A 5.0-liter, 444-hp V8 that spins to a vibrasonic 7,500 rpm. Suspension that works a veritable miracle, performing well on both track and street. Drive one of these things, and you feel like the world's most sophisticated goon. Scratch that: you are the world's most sophisticated goon. I have stripes. Do you have stripes? No? Then get the hell out of the way."

Part ofme wants to buy the most obnoxious car I can afford, that would be the Boss

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"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." - Cherokee Expression

Ok maybe there is no choice but let them do the reviews, but should there not be a disclaimer, like any stock analyst will know to list his or her holdings at the end of the analysis, if such holdings are relevant.

I know you were being sarcastic, but the issue is real. Just look at how the current F30 owners defend their turf.

That reminds me how the C&D reviewer conducted his test. I don't know if he drives a 3 as his daily driver or not, but he clearly did not like the ATS, he appeared not wanting to be bothered by it. He even complained about the CUE because his large radar detector cord touched the screen and changed the speaker volume. Really? Who dangles a three feet cord down from the rear view mirror?

Of course in the end, he characterized the ATS as another fly swipped away by the new 3 series. Was that necessary? Was he trying to be funny or to make sure we know he could not wait for that video to be over? He sure sounded solemnly when he said it. He did not even try to hide his bias.

I like this quote: "In California, BMWs are like Bavarian cockroaches, so, no."

Thank you. Surprisingly funny and well written takes. If one takes the time to read the article and continues to make it about not owning BMW, then that person needs to get a funny bone and get a real life.

Thank you. Surprisingly funny and well written takes. If one takes the time to read the article and continues to make it about not owning BMW, then that person needs to get a funny bone and get a real life.

The surprising find for me was the Subaru BRZ. I definitely want to test drive one.

A quote from the article: "Most important for us writerly types, you get $90,000-plus Porsche-style handling for right around $28K, with all the proper options ticked."

It also looks like being a automotive journalist is not a road to riches. Most are driving older cars, and it's nice to see how they are just like everyone else, mostly raising young families and having to set their priorities accordingly.

Another major publication, another Cadillac loss. Read some comments from those who read that article:

Quote:

The only thing the 328i has over the ATS is snob appeal. Look at most of the 3-Series owners; the vast majority could care less about actual performance or driving in general. Rather, they are too busy keeping up with the Jones's.

I really do hate that we as Americans were forced to bail out GM and will probably never buy a GM vehicle because of it.

The surprising find for me was the Subaru BRZ. I definitely want to test drive one.

A quote from the article: "Most important for us writerly types, you get $90,000-plus Porsche-style handling for right around $28K, with all the proper options ticked."

It also looks like being a automotive journalist is not a road to riches. Most are driving older cars, and it's nice to see how they are just like everyone else, mostly raising young families and having to set their priorities accordingly.

If that is the case, apparently they spoke of their fantasies, not what best suited their needs, both out of their own passion and for their families.

This is a more balanced review, it confirms my impression. The ATS is built to have max fun on twisties and at turns. It has faster trap time, stops sooner, pulls more lateral g, and with better steering connection to the front tires. I am more convinced the 3.6L is the only way to go if one considers an ATS primarily for fun and driving dynamics, despite every report saying the 2.0T will be the volume seller.

The 3.6L will have the exhaust note, and the power to compete in this segment. But to do so, the 3.6L needs to have 328i's price.

The minimum MSRP for the most performance optioned ATS 3.6 is $48k. The most performance optioned F30 328i is only $39k, although without many fancy items such as navigation and LSD.